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Herbivory in a spider through exploitation of an ant-plant mutualism

Curr Biol. 2009 Oct 13;19(19):R892-3. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2009.08.049.

Abstract

Spiders are thought to be strict predators. We describe a novel exception: Bagheera kiplingi, a Neotropical jumping spider (Salticidae) that exploits a well-studied ant-plant mutualism, is predominantly herbivorous. From behavioral field observations and stable-isotope analyses, we show that the main diet of this host-specific spider comprises specialized leaf tips (Beltian food bodies; Figure 1A) from Vachellia spp. ant-acacias (formerly Acacia spp.), structures traded for protection in the plant's coevolved mutualism with Pseudomyrmex spp. ants that inhabit its hollow thorns. This is the first report of a spider that feeds primarily and deliberately on plants.

Publication types

  • Letter
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ants*
  • Fabaceae*
  • Feeding Behavior / physiology*
  • Isotope Labeling
  • Mexico
  • Observation
  • Spiders / physiology*
  • Symbiosis*